PITTSBURGH >> Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward had just finished his 18-year career as a player when the Seattle Mariners hired him as a coach in Sept. 2012. His first assignment was to mentor the Mariners’ instructional league players in Arizona.

One of the faces in the crowd was a 22-year-old infielder named Chris Taylor, whom the Mariners had just drafted out of the University of Virginia.

“He was one of the first players I ever coached,” Woodward recalled. “I worked with him from Day 1, basically. He was the first shortstop that I’ve ever put my hands on.”

The two were reunited when the Dodgers recalled Taylor from Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated pitcher Nick Tepesch for assignment on Saturday. Taylor began his first game as a Dodger on the bench at PNC Park, wearing the No. 3 jersey last worn by Carl Crawford.

The Dodgers and Taylor have had very little time to get to know each other. Taylor went from the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate, to the Oklahoma City Dodgers last Sunday in a one-for-one trade for pitcher Zach Lee.

In 227 career games at Triple-A, Taylor has a .315 batting average and a .393 on-base percentage. His defense was never questioned — a natural shortstop, Taylor can play second and third base too — but his offensive numbers never translated in two cups of coffee with the Mariners. Taylor batted .170 in 37 games with Seattle last year and went 1 for 3 in two games this year.

“Last year there were definitely some inconsistencies with what I was trying to,” he said. “I think I was trying to change too much too fast. I might have been almost a little too open to the coaching decisions. Not that I was fighting them, but I was trying to please too many people, I think. I got away from what I do best. I was trying to improve on my weaknesses, and I almost got away from my strengths.”

This year wasn’t any different, at least at the outset. The Mariners began the year with a new general manager, manager and field staff. Woodward believes that Taylor might have been trying too hard to impress them, putting unnecessary pressure on himself in the process.

Taylor hit .190 in spring training, with more strikeouts (12) than hits (eight).

“For a younger player that’s always the struggle: to just trust what you’re doing,” Woodward said. “To have success in that role is difficult for anybody, even the most veteran of veterans.”

When Taylor was told he’d been called up after playing Friday night in Oklahoma City, Woodward was among the first people he contacted.

“I was real excited when we got him, because he represents what we want out of a player,” Woodward said. “And he’s good. He’s a talented player. He’s going to provide a lot of value on the field. The character and makeup is, he’s a grinder and he cares about the little things that we look for on this coaching staff.”

Fifth starter questions

By designating Tepesch, the Dodgers can roll a full complement of five players on the bench and eight men in the bullpen until the fifth starter’s turn in the rotation comes around again.

For now, Wednesday’s start in Milwaukee on the calendar is in the hands of the staff workhorse who goes by the initials “TBD.”

Manager Dave Roberts ruled out rehabbing veterans Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu from the assignment. Both pitchers remain at Triple-A Oklahoma City, working back from major surgeries last year.

That leaves Mike Bolsinger, Jharel Cotton, Brock Stewart on a short list of possibilities at Triple-A. Ross Stripling is still building up his arm strength after the Dodgers curtailed his workload due to a predetermined innings limit. Roberts said a “bullpen game” remains another possibility.

Also

Will Venable accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers designated the veteran outfielder for assignment Friday. He collected 1 hit in 10 at-bats in six games. … The Dodgers signed Vanderbilt pitcher Jordan Sheffield, their compensation-round pick in the amateur draft. According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, he signed for $1.85 million, about $600,000 above the recommended bonus value for the 36th overall pick. … All of the Dodgers’ first 13 draft picks are under contract. … Yimi Garcia began throwing off a mound this week in Arizona. The right-handed reliever hasn’t appeared in a game since April 22 because of a right biceps injury.